I was sitting in a café not long ago, reading Emily Post’s book on business etiquette – which, looking back, was almost too fitting. About ten minutes in, I looked up from the page and found myself watching a real-life etiquette lesson unfold right in front of me.
A woman nearby was on a phone call – speaking loudly, completely absorbed, treating the café like her own private office. A retired gentleman at a neighbouring table walked over and politely asked if she might be able to lower her voice a little. He was calm. He was kind. He was simply trying to hear his wife.
What happened next surprised everyone in that room.
She stood up – still on the call – and yelled at him.
The atmosphere shifted immediately. Everyone felt it. The couple left, visibly shaken. And I sat there thinking about something that went far beyond that one moment: we are all still learning what it means to work well in public spaces.
Remote Work Is a Gift – But It Comes With Responsibility
Remote work gave us something previous generations couldn’t even imagine: the freedom to work from almost anywhere. A café, a library, a quiet corner of a hotel lobby. That flexibility is genuinely wonderful.
But here’s what I’ve noticed in my work coaching professionals and emerging leaders: the habits we bring into shared spaces say a lot about us. More than we realize.
The person on the other end of that phone call heard everything that happened. Clients, colleagues, and managers are always closer to these moments than we think. And the impression we leave – in a café, in a meeting room, in a difficult conversation – follows us.
How we show up determines how far we go. That’s not a platitude – it’s something I’ve seen play out across two decades in recruitment and professional development. The people who get promoted, who earn trust, who open doors, are rarely the most technically brilliant people in the room. They’re the most intentional.
It’s Bigger Than the Bottom Line
I had a conversation recently with a sales leader at a large engineering firm who said something I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. I was making the business case for the work I do – talking ROI, culture, team performance – and he stopped me and said:
“I agree that it’s good for all of those things. But ultimately, what you’re doing is just good for humanity. For society.”
He’s right. When we learn to be more aware, more considerate, and more others-focused – in a café, in a boardroom, on a phone call – everyone’s experience improves. Not just the team’s performance. Not just the organization’s culture. Everyone’s.
That’s the mission underneath everything I do. And it’s why an episode about café etiquette is really about something much larger.
What This Episode Covers
In this week’s episode of the Boosted podcast, I’m sharing nine practical guidelines I’ve developed for working from public spaces – organized into three simple categories so they’re easy to remember and even easier to apply:
- Your Volume & Your Footprint – being aware of the space you’re taking up, physically and with sound.
- Supporting the Business – honouring the fact that cafés are businesses first, and being a real customer.
- Being a Good Neighbour – respecting the people around you, their privacy, and their experience.
These aren’t rules. They’re reminders. Because most of us already know how to be considerate – we just sometimes forget when we’re stressed, distracted, or deep in a deadline.
A Note If You’re Having a Hard Day
I want to say this clearly: the woman in that café was probably overwhelmed and stressed. Having one of those days where everything feels urgent and anything feels like an interruption. I’ve had those days too.
This episode isn’t about judgment. It’s about awareness. Because the moments when we’re most stressed are exactly the moments when our professional presence matters most – and when the impression we leave is most likely to stick.
Listen to the Episode
Café Etiquette for Remote Workers is available now on all major podcast platforms, and on YouTube. If this resonated with you, I’d love it if you shared it with someone on your team.
Want to explore professional presence, business etiquette, and leadership coaching? Visit boostacademyofexcellence.com to learn more about our programs and workshops.
About the Author
Trina Boos is the Founder and CEO of Boost Academy of Excellence, where she helps professionals master workplace etiquette and business skills for today’s evolving work environment. Drawing from her experience as former CEO of Boost Agents, Trina has placed thousands of professionals in leading organizations across North America.
Want more workplace insights like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for practical tips delivered directly to your inbox.
Learn more about our training programs:
– Corporate Training Programs
– Individual Courses
